Common people outnumber dignitaries at pope's anniversary Mass

Published: 2003-10-17

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a numbers contest between the famous and the just plain folks celebrating Pope John Paul II's 25th anniversary, the common people far outnumbered the big names. Lists of official guests and diplomatic representatives at the celebration were heavy on the famous and well-connected: the presidents of Italy and Poland, members of parliament from various nations, heads of major companies. Then there were about 50,000 people who were more like the ladies from Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Dublin, Ireland. In the crowd in St. Peter's Square before the Oct. 16 anniversary Mass, parishioners Nora Power, Elizabeth Quinn and Emily Crowley approached an English-speaking family from the United States that had had the foresight to bring two collapsible camping chairs. "Could we please share your seats, just for a few minutes?" asked Power. "Our feet are worn to shreds." The trio had gotten separated from their pastor, Father Ronnie Neville, who was guiding the pilgrims through the city and to the anniversary Mass.

Copyright (c) 2003 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .